Chapter 25 - Page 2

and primitive
construction. The shield, the quiver, the lance and the bow of its
master, were to be seen suspended from a light post before the
opening, or door, of each habitation. The different domestic
implements of his one, two, or three wives, as the brave was of
greater or lesser renown, were carelessly thrown at its side, and here
and there the round, full, patient countenance of an infant might be
found peeping from its comfortless wrappers of bark, as, suspended by
a deer-skin thong from the same post, it rocked in the passing air.
Children of a larger growth were tumbling over each other in piles,
the males, even at that early age, making themselves distinguished for
that species of domination which, in after life, was to mark the vast
distinction between the sexes. Youths were in the bottom, essaying
their juvenile powers in curbing the wild steeds of their fathers,
while here and there a truant girl was to be seen, stealing from her
labours to admire their fierce and impatient daring.

Thus far the picture was the daily exhibition of an encampment
confident in its security. But immediately in front of the lodges was
a gathering, that seemed to forbode some movements of more than usual
interest. A few of the withered and remorseless crones of the band
were clustering together, in readiness to lend their fell voices, if
needed, to aid in exciting their descendants to an exhibition, which
their depraved tastes coveted, as the luxurious Roman dame witnessed
the struggles and the agony of the gladiator. The men were subdivided
into groups, assorted according to the deeds and reputations of the
several individuals of whom they were composed.

They, who were of that equivocal age which admitted them to the hunts,
while their discretion was still too doubtful to permit them to be
trusted on the war-path, hung around the skirts of the whole,
catching, from the fierce models before them, that gravity of
demeanour and restraint of manner, which in time was to become so
deeply ingrafted in their own characters. A few of the still older
class, and who had heard the whoop in anger, were a little more
presuming, pressing nigher to the chiefs, though far from presuming to
mingle in their councils, sufficiently distinguished by being
permitted to catch the wisdom which fell from lips so venerated. The
ordinary warriors of the band were still less diffident, not
hesitating to mingle among the chiefs of lesser note, though far from
assuming the right to dispute the sentiments of any established brave,
or to call in question the prudence of measures, that were recommended
by the more gifted counsellors of the nation.

Among the chiefs themselves there was a singular compound of exterior.
They